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Our clinic hours are Monday to Friday from 8am-8pm and weekends from 9am-5pm. Please call ahead for visits and we'd be happy to book you in as soon as possible!
**NEW HOURS - As of November 1rst 2009, Animal Hospital of Cambridge will be open Sundays 9-4pm
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We're Expanding!
Due to our increase in adoptions and our many rescues we needed a bigger clinic! Therefore - Animal Hospital of Cambridge is expanding to serve you better! We will be open through the renovations over the next few weeks and are very excited about our up-coming OPEN HOUSE (date to be announced)! Stay tuned....
HEARTWORM & FLEA SEASON
As the weather gets warmer and our thoughts turn to spring we, at the Animal Hopital of Cambridge also think about fleas and heartworm - and YOU SHOULD TOO!
Heartworm and flea season will soon be upon us! Wellness testing will again be offered this heartworm season at a discounted cost. Spring is the perfect time to make sure your pet is healthy inside and out! Wellness testing can detect life-threatening diseases early on, and the earlier we know about a disease the earlier we can start treating it! Please call the clinic to set up your appointment!
Heartworm Q & A
Q: What is heartworm disease?
Heartworm disease is a parasitic disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis. This parasite is transmitted between animals by mosquitoes.
Q: Is my dog at risk for heartworm in Ontario?
Yes. Ontario continues to be the “hot zone” for heartworm infection in Canadian dogs. The vast majority of diagnoses are made in the southwestern part of the province, but cases are seen all over the province – including cities, suburbs, rural areas, and cottage country.
Q: How does the mosquito transmit disease?
The life cycle of heartworms is as follows:
- A mosquito bites a heartworm-infected dog and picks up the microfilariae (immature heartworms found in the infected dog's bloodstream)
- During the next 2 to 3 weeks, the microfilariae develop into infective larvae within the mosquito
- When the mosquito feeds again, it can transmit the infective larvae into a healthy dog. The larvae penetrate the dog’s skin and migrate through the tissues, developing over the next few months. Eventually, they reach the dog’s heart.
Heartworm Life Cycle
Q: If my dog becomes infected with heartworm disease, will he actually have worms inside his heart?
Yes. Inside a dog’s heart, the worms can grow up to 35 cm long and can cause significant damage to the heart and lungs. Literally hundreds of worms may be found in an infected dog’s heart and the surrounding blood vessels. If left untreated, heartworm disease can result in death.
Q: What are the symptoms of heartworm disease?
No symptoms are apparent until the disease is very advanced. For this reason, regular testing is extremely important in dogs. The symptoms of heartworm disease develop gradually over many months, and resemble those of congestive heart failure. In advanced cases, the dog has difficulty breathing, can tolerate only very light exercise, and loses his or her appetite.
Q: Can heartworm disease be treated?
While treatment is possible, the drug required to kill the adult worms is very toxic, and must be administered under close veterinary supervision. The dog must be restricted to cage rest until all danger from treatment has passed. It is far easier, safer, and less expensive to prevent heartworm disease than it is to treat it.
Q: How do I protect my dog against heartworm disease?
It is important to put your dog on a heartworm preventative medication from June until November. The medication is available as an oral monthly tablet or as a topical preparation that is applied monthly. Both are very safe for dogs of all ages. Many heartworm medications also incorporate an additional dewormer and flea control. Unless your dog is a young puppy (less than 6 months old), it is important to have your dog heartworm tested prior to starting him on the preventative medication.
Q: How is my dog tested for heartworm disease?
It is very simple! A small sample of blood is collected from your dog and submitted to a laboratory for testing. Wellness testing is also offered this time of year at a very reasonable price! The wellness panels include the heartworm test, plus several other blood chemistries to make sure your pet is healthy! Through regular blood work we are able to detect many diseases early on, and can get started with any necessary treatments to help your pet live a long and healthy life!
Q: Why does my dog require a heartworm test?
It is important to confirm that your dog is negative prior to beginning heartworm preventative medication. If your dog is positive and he receives preventative medication, he may experience an adverse reaction as the worms and larvae die. Keep in mind that dogs with heartworm infection do not show symptoms until very late in the stage of disease. Early diagnosis is critical!
Please call the clinic to book your heartworm test between April and June. Remember - Preventative medications start June 1rst!
